JUST IN: Fairfax County libraries to close for two days a week due to staffing shortage

(Updated at 2:40 p.m.) Fairfax County Public Library will close on Sundays and Mondays starting this coming Sunday (Jan. 16) through April 1 to deal with a staffing shortage.

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said on Twitter this morning (Monday) that the changes were prompted by staffing issues due to the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases and recruitment challenges.

FCPL confirmed that all of its branches will be closed on Sundays and Mondays for the near-future in a news release:

• Regional libraries: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays
• Community libraries: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays
• Access Services branch located at the Fairfax County Government Center will maintain its usual hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays

Libraries will remain open for regular hours Tuesdays through Saturdays.

All libraries will remain open for their regularly scheduled hours Tuesday through Saturday.

Regional library locations: Tuesday-Wednesday 10AM–9PM and Thursday-Saturday 10AM– 6PM.
Community library locations: Tuesday 10AM– 9PM and Wednesday-Saturday 10AM– 6PM.

— Dalia Palchik (@SupvPalchik) January 10, 2022

“The current surge in COVID-19 cases and a high number of vacancies necessitated this change in hours,” FCPL spokesperson Erin Julius confirmed to FFXnow.

Fairfax County is currently averaging 2,168 cases per day, more than at any other point in the pandemic. That’s three times the peak case rate seen last winter, when the library system was still limited to online and curbside pickup services.